Thoughts on mixing Potters and African Flameback Angels

[Basenji]

OK, putting this one out there in an attempt to gather some informed comment.

I currently have a flameback angel in my 4'x18"x20" aquarium. (280L / 75 US gallons)
Tank is very well established. Lots of swim-throughs inside rock work, and lots of stony corals.
Link to my journal thread is here

Current fish stock list is pretty short:
African Flameback angel - Centropyge acanthops
Yellow tang
Pair of ocellaris clowns.

I would dearly love to get a potters angel (Centropyge potteri), and have been wavering on the question for probably 18 months now on whether I should do it or not.
Main concern is agressions between the two angels.

Now, before anyone launches in with the standard "no you can't do it - I read it somewhere on the internet", let me say I've been reading about this for ages, and I am well aware of the accepted opinion on mixing Centropyge angels.

Pretty much the accepted wisdom, distilled from hours of reading is:
- don't mix Centropyge species in a small tank. 70 Gallons (265L) seems to be a bit of a consensus on minimum tank size. (And yes, I know to always take tank size "rules of thumb" with a large pinch of salt)
- Can be done in a larger tank, but each fish needs space to stake out its own territory.
- don't mx species that are of very similar appearance and size.
- any attempt to mix Centropyge species is a gamble. Can be dependent on the temperament of individual fish
- aquascaping must have lots of caves and hiding spots to help diffuse aggression.
- it is preferable to add fish at the same time, or failing that, to add the smaller one first.

On balance, I think I have already actually made up my mind that I probably won't be proceeding with the attempt.

But before I give away the idea entirely, I was wondering whether anyone had any actual experience with mixing these two particular species, either with each other, or one of them with another Centropyge species.

I really am seeking peoples' real experiences - either positive or negative, and not just opinions.
If you have any relevant links or references, I'd be interested in those as well.

Thanks in advance guys

 

[reppo13]

In many cases it can be done easily and without harm to the fish. Since your flameback is already established it may not turn out well unless you took him out, rearranged the rock, add both angels and monitor the two. Potters IME can be pretty aggresive as I mixed mine with flame angels, a golden angel, and cherrub angels. With that said, my potters was the "dominant fish" when mixing. He only chased and never nipped. I have never had flamebacks before but I've heard they can be aggresive too.

 

[NyReefNoob]

flamebacks can be very aggressive, i wouldnt try it

 

[blface]

I have both but my DT is a 220 not a 75. I added the Flameback last & it was instantly attacked by the Potters. I had to put the fb in an acclimation box for 4 weeks before releasing it again. There still was some bullying & fin nipping the first week or so but nothing like before. They coexist now but the Potters always chases the fb. I would think your 75 might be two small but if you decide to try it I would definetly use an acclimation box.

 

[Bret61081]

I had a potters and Muilticolor for over 3 years with no problems....introduce them at the same time

 

[Lmart]

potters/flameback mix

potters/flameback mix

I have a flame angel and a potter's in a 90 DT. The flame is larger and was there first. The potter's was initially chased around a bit. It was in quarantine for about a month and in great health. After a few days the flame started ignoring it and now they co exist pretty well. The flame may ocassionally nip at the potter's but it does not seem bothered. I think half of the success in mixing dwarf angels is luck, the other half compatability, health, tank size etc.

 

[Flippers4pups]

The only time I've ever been able to keep two pigmy angels together was when they were introduced at the exact same time.(Porters and Flame) Both were juvenile specimens.

 

[MrTuskfish]

IMO, the typical "its the individual fish question". I've had a Potters and an African Flameback together for several years and they ignore each other. They're in a 180 with an unusual mixture of fish; oddly, neither has a real "territory". The last time I tried two Centropyge Angels, they tore each other to bits. it would have been certain death for one, if I didn't separate them. Maybe they were two mature males, which would probably increase aggression, who knows. I've had a feeling for years, that Angels in this genus, just take a dislike to some other fish, for no apparent reason. Another fish of the same genus is a real reason, though. You pays your money and you takes your chances with this pairing. 50-50; and have a backup plan.

 

[Sheol]

Could be done, maybe, if you were to completely rework your Reefscape, before introducing the Potter's..
Otherwise, I'd say forget it. Flameback's seem pretty aggressive.

Matthew